Solar Energy in Lexington

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Background

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the community's Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington 2045. In part, the plan calls for Lexington to "Expand and Promote Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Electrification Initiatives."

In support of this goal, the LFUCG is working to be recognized as a SolSmart community - a designation of leading solar communities. This designation requires clear local policies, which Lexington adopted in September of 2025.

The Planning Commission and Urban County Council voted to allow for widespread use of solar technologies within the urban areas of Fayette County while not allowing for large-scale solar installations in the rural areas.

Following the recommendations of the Council Solar Working Group, further discussion of solar technologies in the agricultural areas is ongoing.

September 2025 Zoning Updates

Solar Technologies are now defined for local land use purposes; permitted types include:

  • Rooftop and integrated solar energy systems in all zones.
  • Small-scale ground-mounted (up to 2,500 sq. ft) in residential zones with a conditional use permit and allowed in business/industrial and agricultural zones as an accessory use.
  • Intermediate-scale ground-mounted (up to 5 acres) in business zones, but would require a conditional use permit in agricultural zones.
  • Large-scale solar (over 5 acres) in business/industrial zones.

Council voted to not allow for private, large-scale solar installations in the agricultural areas, but cannot prevent a utility company from seeking approval. Therefore, Council worked to include guidance for the Kentucky Public Service Commission should a utility company proposes such a project at the state level.

Local rules now specify that large-scale solar projects should:

  • Never comprise more than 1% of the county’s total acreage
  • Maintain at least 85% vegetative ground cover
  • Include a land management plan

Council Solar Working Group

September 2025 through February of 2026, Council Members Liz Sheehan, Hil Boone, Tyler Morton, Dave Sevigny, and LFUCG staff met to learn more about and further discuss large-scale solar technologies on properties outside of the Urban Service Area (USA).

Recommendations of the working group include:

  • Guidance on battery storage
  • Strengthened decommissioning requirements
  • Allow for large-scale solar on "brownfields"
  • Require "dual agricultural use" for solar installations in agricultural areas
  • Require a land management plan
  • Require a water conservation plan
  • Guidance on the creation of "Community Benefit Agreements"

Council voted to advance these recommendations to the Planning Commission for consideration. The Rural Land Management Board and Environmental Commission have also been asked to provide formal feedback.

Helpful Terms & Definitions

The Planning Commission is the appointed body that oversees numerous "land use" issues in Lexington; it reviews development plans for proposed projects, makes recommendations to Council when there is a zone change request, helps to craft and approves Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs), etc.

Lexington's Zoning Ordinance regulates how land in Fayette County is developed and used.

  • A Conditional Use is an approved exception to the regular rules of the zone that a property is in; specific conditions must be met and requires special approval to address potential negative impacts.
  • A Principle or Permitted Use is the primary use of land or a main building, which use is compatible with the purpose of and permitted in the zone it's located in.
  • A Prohibited Use is any use of land which is not listed as permitted use or conditional use within a zone.

A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) provides a means for the Planning Commission, Urban County Council, or a public Applicant to update the Zoning Ordinance(External link). ZOTAs are not tied to a specific piece of property, but are based on the needs of the community as a whole.

A blue graphic titled “ZOTA Process – Council-Initiated.” Sub‑labels at the top read: “Zoning,” “Ordinance,” “Text,” and “Amendment,” each separated by small yellow dots. Below, a flowchart with yellow-outlined bubbles shows the steps in the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) process: Council Votes to Begin Process (Initiation) This text appears inside the first bubble on the left. An arrow points right to a second bubble labeled: Planning Staff Sends Out Community Notifications Another arrow points right to the third bubble labeled: Staff Provides Recommendation to Zoning Committee A downward arrow leads to a fourth bubble labeled: Zoning Committee Provides Recommendation to Planning Commission A left‑pointing arrow leads to a fifth bubble labeled: Planning Commission Recommends Approval & Forwards to Council (within 60 days of initiation) A left‑pointing arrow leads to a sixth bubble labeled: Council Holds Public Hearing and/or Conducts Legislative Readings Before Final Vote A downward arrow leads to a larger, centered bubble at the bottom that reads: Zoning Ordinance Text Amended At the bottom of the image is the Lexington city logo, which consists of a stylized horse and the word “LEXINGTON.”

Important / Upcoming Dates

  • May 20, 2026 - First meeting of Planning Commission Solar Work Group*
  • June 9, 2026 - Second meeting of Planning Commission Solar Work Group*
  • June 18, 2026 - Planning Commission Work Session
  • July 2, 2026 - Planning Commission Zoning Committee
  • July 9, 2026 - Planning Commission Public Hearing on Solar ZOTA - 1:30 PM in Council Chambers (200 E. Main Street)

*The Planning Commission formed its own "Solar Work Group" to review the recommendations sent from Council. These meetings are open to the public.

Council Wants to Hear from You!

Please complete the survey about the solar working group's recommendations below and join the online forum. Community feedback is made available to Council Members as they consider updates to the Zoning Ordinance.

Background

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the community's Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington 2045. In part, the plan calls for Lexington to "Expand and Promote Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Electrification Initiatives."

In support of this goal, the LFUCG is working to be recognized as a SolSmart community - a designation of leading solar communities. This designation requires clear local policies, which Lexington adopted in September of 2025.

The Planning Commission and Urban County Council voted to allow for widespread use of solar technologies within the urban areas of Fayette County while not allowing for large-scale solar installations in the rural areas.

Following the recommendations of the Council Solar Working Group, further discussion of solar technologies in the agricultural areas is ongoing.

September 2025 Zoning Updates

Solar Technologies are now defined for local land use purposes; permitted types include:

  • Rooftop and integrated solar energy systems in all zones.
  • Small-scale ground-mounted (up to 2,500 sq. ft) in residential zones with a conditional use permit and allowed in business/industrial and agricultural zones as an accessory use.
  • Intermediate-scale ground-mounted (up to 5 acres) in business zones, but would require a conditional use permit in agricultural zones.
  • Large-scale solar (over 5 acres) in business/industrial zones.

Council voted to not allow for private, large-scale solar installations in the agricultural areas, but cannot prevent a utility company from seeking approval. Therefore, Council worked to include guidance for the Kentucky Public Service Commission should a utility company proposes such a project at the state level.

Local rules now specify that large-scale solar projects should:

  • Never comprise more than 1% of the county’s total acreage
  • Maintain at least 85% vegetative ground cover
  • Include a land management plan

Council Solar Working Group

September 2025 through February of 2026, Council Members Liz Sheehan, Hil Boone, Tyler Morton, Dave Sevigny, and LFUCG staff met to learn more about and further discuss large-scale solar technologies on properties outside of the Urban Service Area (USA).

Recommendations of the working group include:

  • Guidance on battery storage
  • Strengthened decommissioning requirements
  • Allow for large-scale solar on "brownfields"
  • Require "dual agricultural use" for solar installations in agricultural areas
  • Require a land management plan
  • Require a water conservation plan
  • Guidance on the creation of "Community Benefit Agreements"

Council voted to advance these recommendations to the Planning Commission for consideration. The Rural Land Management Board and Environmental Commission have also been asked to provide formal feedback.

Helpful Terms & Definitions

The Planning Commission is the appointed body that oversees numerous "land use" issues in Lexington; it reviews development plans for proposed projects, makes recommendations to Council when there is a zone change request, helps to craft and approves Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs), etc.

Lexington's Zoning Ordinance regulates how land in Fayette County is developed and used.

  • A Conditional Use is an approved exception to the regular rules of the zone that a property is in; specific conditions must be met and requires special approval to address potential negative impacts.
  • A Principle or Permitted Use is the primary use of land or a main building, which use is compatible with the purpose of and permitted in the zone it's located in.
  • A Prohibited Use is any use of land which is not listed as permitted use or conditional use within a zone.

A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) provides a means for the Planning Commission, Urban County Council, or a public Applicant to update the Zoning Ordinance(External link). ZOTAs are not tied to a specific piece of property, but are based on the needs of the community as a whole.

A blue graphic titled “ZOTA Process – Council-Initiated.” Sub‑labels at the top read: “Zoning,” “Ordinance,” “Text,” and “Amendment,” each separated by small yellow dots. Below, a flowchart with yellow-outlined bubbles shows the steps in the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) process: Council Votes to Begin Process (Initiation) This text appears inside the first bubble on the left. An arrow points right to a second bubble labeled: Planning Staff Sends Out Community Notifications Another arrow points right to the third bubble labeled: Staff Provides Recommendation to Zoning Committee A downward arrow leads to a fourth bubble labeled: Zoning Committee Provides Recommendation to Planning Commission A left‑pointing arrow leads to a fifth bubble labeled: Planning Commission Recommends Approval & Forwards to Council (within 60 days of initiation) A left‑pointing arrow leads to a sixth bubble labeled: Council Holds Public Hearing and/or Conducts Legislative Readings Before Final Vote A downward arrow leads to a larger, centered bubble at the bottom that reads: Zoning Ordinance Text Amended At the bottom of the image is the Lexington city logo, which consists of a stylized horse and the word “LEXINGTON.”

Important / Upcoming Dates

  • May 20, 2026 - First meeting of Planning Commission Solar Work Group*
  • June 9, 2026 - Second meeting of Planning Commission Solar Work Group*
  • June 18, 2026 - Planning Commission Work Session
  • July 2, 2026 - Planning Commission Zoning Committee
  • July 9, 2026 - Planning Commission Public Hearing on Solar ZOTA - 1:30 PM in Council Chambers (200 E. Main Street)

*The Planning Commission formed its own "Solar Work Group" to review the recommendations sent from Council. These meetings are open to the public.

Council Wants to Hear from You!

Please complete the survey about the solar working group's recommendations below and join the online forum. Community feedback is made available to Council Members as they consider updates to the Zoning Ordinance.

Discussions: All (1) Open (1)

  • How should solar energy technologies be used in Fayette County?

    12 months ago
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Page last updated: 09 Jul 2026, 03:53 PM